You should get a lot of bang for your buck this week – a whole bunch of video clips (computer generated) from a Spiritual Emphasis Camp for MKs that Nathanael and I went to. Wow, lots of memories here! 10 years ago.
Sometimes we like travelling. But not always.
This week we were going back and forth to the city of Puebla, a trip of about an hour and a half each way. The good part was that Hannah had a chance to hang out with several of her MK friends, who “just happened” to all be in Mexico at the same time! So that was pretty cool.
The not-so-fun part was dealing with some medical issues, but of course these things are necessary.
On the second day, we were stuck in traffic for a long time – making us late for a doctor’s appointment. It turned out to be an accident. After we got home, I found out there was another accident right at a toll booth we had just gone through – a truck lost its brakes and ran into a car carrying a family of 3. Thankfully, no one was hurt. But – it’s all a reminder of how God keeps us safe many times when we don’t even realize it.
We also took a trip with some friends to go and say “goodbye” to Tina Barham – a bittersweet visit, of course! Tina hasn’t lived in Ixtapaluca for a while now, but she has at least been in Mexico. But now she’s heading to the USA to take a new job recruiting new missionaries, at our mission’s office there (Avant Ministries). So we enjoyed our time with her, but we’ll miss having her in the country. 🙁
Overall, it’s been a rather tiring and difficult week. But I’m looking forward to our time of worship tomorrow! I even get to teach Sunday school, as we continue our study of the Ten Commandments.
Praise the Lord! Tina finally got her visa!
As you may remember, Tina started her visa process in October. Which would make you think she would get her visa in October, or maybe November.
But in mid-December she was preparing to leave the country, and still had no visa. Which meant she needed a special permit to leave. And she barely got that (thanks for your prayers!). (See Prayer Request: Visa Adventures (but not ours) and Permit Received! (Thanks for Your Prayers))
With time running out before her next trip out of the country, we were wondering what was going to happen next. Still no visa … still no visa …
And during this time, trip after trip (these trips take hours) to the office to ask – so, is it done yet?
But about five hours ago we got the news – visa received! And a permanent resident visa, no less, which (at this point… until the law changes… disclaimer disclaimer…) does not run out or have to be renewed.
Paperwork challenges are common with missionaries around the world. And just for the record, it’s not just missionaries. It’s not unusual for a Mexican friend in our church to have a prayer request related to bureaucracy and navigating the world of official documents and the expenses that go with them. Sometimes things actually get worse for believers because they try to do things with honesty and integrity.
So in a few months we look forward to going through the same process Tina just went through – although with some different twists and turns. But we’re confident that she has straightened out the system, and that we won’t have any trouble. 🙂
This morning Tina posted: I got the permit to leave and re-enter Mexico!!!! #merrychristmas #praisethelord
What can be more stressful than heading to the airport on the day of your flight, knowing that there may/may not be a permit waiting for you that will allow you to leave?
Of course, you could leave without it – and start your visa process all over, leading to months of work and thousands of dollars — yeah, let’s not do that.
We arrived in good time and Tina entered the secret enclaves of the migration office (the attached picture is from there – doesn’t it just make you feel optimistic and cheerful?). After only two line ups she came out with her official paperwork, allowing her to travel.
Thanks to so many of you who prayed for Tina over the past few days! She’s off to the USA to enjoy Christmas, and also to go to Urbana to find us some more missionaries (you could pray for that too!).
I think we had more trouble getting home than she had at the office in the airport – a big police check point is set up just a few minutes from our house. But they were nice and when they saw how legal we are, they sent us on our way. 🙂
Hi everyone! I’m just stopping by to ask for prayer for our friend and coworker Tina, who is trying to get paperwork to temporarily leave the country.
Tina started a visa process back in October. She had travel plans for December (this week) – she’s going to represent Camino Global at Urbana, so that she can find us some more missionaries.
Anyway, plenty of time, right? The visa process should only take a few days, maybe a few weeks at most, right?
Well, you know what I’m going to say. She kept checking and going back and it was supposed to be done and it wasn’t so she went back again and … finally the last day came, and they didn’t give it to her.
No problem, she just needs to get a special document to allow her to leave the country temporarily.
Well – it shouldn’t be a problem. But it turns out that the process of getting a last minute travel document is not so simple either.
So would you please pray for Tina as she tried to get this sorted out – today (she’s working on it right now), tomorrow… Please pray that the officials would realize that this is not her fault, and that they would be gracious and grant her the document, so that she will be able to travel over the holidays.
That’s it! Thanks.
A look at what’s happening in January as community centre activities start up, construction continues, and more …
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Thanks for stopping by!